15-17TH JULY :: OULTON PK

With a long sporting tradition on both two and four wheels this picturesque circuit has staged some of the great motorsport events with the Grand Prix stars of the day riding in TransAtlantic Challenge motorcycle races and Gold Cup car action. Full of challenges it has also provided some of the more controversial - not forgetting some of the best - moments in British Superbike action. Refinements and added run-off areas have made for safer action. Tight and twisty, this is a circuit of character which also has long fast straights. Knickerbrook and the final Lodge Corner leading to Deer Leap are key sections.

JAMES WEBB RACE REPORT:

OULTON PARK

15/16/17 JULY 2011

FREE PRACTICE:

The weather was not looking good for the weekend and the first session was wet.  Once again I knew I have a good base setting for the wet and just got into a nice rhythm and concentrated on getting back to grips with the track again.  I ended up the session in P2 behind Peter Ward.  I was happy with this as I knew I had a lot left in hand because I was having some issues with my visor steaming up.

QUALIFYING:

I knew I would be strong in the dry and just got my head down from the start we took a bit of a guess on set up but it paid off because the bike felt perfect and I could push so hard with out feeling I had to ride 105%.  I was P2 behind Peter Ward for most of the session but thought I would just do one all out lap that put me on Pole.  I was surprised because I made a few silly mistakes but I was on Pole and the bike felt good so that was good enough for me.

RACE:

After many delays and hanging around the Race finally got underway.  The track had a lot of laying water on it and it was still raining.  I got off to a good start I wanted to get in the lead and pull a gap in case any carnage happened as I knew I would have the pace to pull a lead.  The disaster, Rob McNeally lost the front on the 3^rd lap and took me down, I was absolutely gutted.  I lost some good points for the championship and my wages but I wasn’t hurt which was a good thing.  Onwards and Upwards and looking forward now to Brands Hatch.

Loads of thanks to the Team at Blade they were mega all weekend.